Nico Carrillo Vows To Build Historic Undisputed Reign As ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion
Nico Carrillo already had the belt. Now he wants the history to match it.
The “King of the North” was officially elevated to undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion this week, after Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the throne while recovering from a severe leg injury.
The Scot first claimed the interim title at ONE Fight Night 40 this past February, defeating Shadow Mavinn by unanimous decision to become Scotland’s first-ever ONE World Champion. Tawanchai has not defended the undisputed title since January 2025, and the leg injury he suffered against Liu Mengyang last December ruled out any prospect of a unification fight in the near future.
“It’s about time,” Carrillo said. “Tawanchai broke his leg a couple of months before Shadow, and I fought for the interim belt, which, in my opinion, should have been made for the undisputed belt anyway.
“He hasn’t defended it since January 2025, then broke his leg, so that would make another year out. Now, it turns out to be two years out. Honestly, for me, I became undisputed that night when I defeated Shadow.”
The Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy representative has built his case on results rather than words alone. He has scored knockouts in six of his seven promotional wins, including a star-making finish of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.
He turns his attention elsewhere before any title defense, however. Carrillo meets Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang in a featherweight kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 46, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime on Prime Video from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, August 14.
Once that assignment is out of the way, Carrillo intends to move quickly to defend his new undisputed crown. An eventual MMA debut is also on his radar for the following year.
“First things first, when I get this kickboxing fight out the way, I want to defend my belt in November,” he said. “Then, hopefully defend my belt in February or March next year, too. Maybe I’ll even eye an MMA debut in April or May next year.”
He also made clear he sees no immediate threat standing between him and a truly dominant reign.
“I don’t see any potential fighters that could step up and challenge me,” he said. “Superbon’s injured, while Shadow has a broken jaw thanks to me. The rest of the division are a bunch of suckers.”
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